Maricopa, the historic oil town in southwestern Kern County, is celebrating its birth and the world's greatest oil gusher with a three-day celebration this weekend.

It call kicks off on Friday with a carnival, vendors, arts and crafts, music, beer, amusements, raffles, a reptile show, water bubbles, a talent show contest, bounce houses and slides, games, face painting and a whole lot more.

The events will be centered around the Maricopa Park, 799 Stanislaus just off the intersection of Highway 33 and 166.

Most of the events are free, but tickets to the carnival ride are available at a discount rate through Friday.